The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation , Hon Femi Bamisile, has hailed the Southwest Governors for inventing a new strategy to ward off security and increase food production in the region.
Bamisile, a former Ekiti State Assembly Speaker, said forming a new strategic plan that will arrest incursion of the ISWAP insurgents to the Southwest and as well shore up food production shows that the zone still remains a beacon and fortress of good governance in the country.
The Forum of Southwest Governors, had in a communique issued and read by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after its meeting held in Marina, Lagos State, on Wednesday, unveiled its plans to deal with ISWAP insurgents, who were reported to have infested some forests in the region, among other issues of interest to the people.
Responding to the positions taken by the governors, Bamisile, who is representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, hailed the State Chief Executives for setting aside political differences and formed strong alliance against those trying to make the Southwest unsafe.
Bamisile averred that allowing some unscrupulous elements to infiltrate the region and cause unrest will affect good governance in the areas of investment, food production, and employment generation for the youths.
“I am thrilled by the fact that these governors, comprising four APC and two PDP governors shelved their political differences and came to terms with the reality of threat posed by the reported cases of influx of bandits and insurgents to the zone.
“I am happy that they didn’t treat the alarm raised by Oyo State Governor , Engr Seyi Makinde, that insurgents were residing inside some forests around his state, with disdain.
“The fact that part of their strategies was to empower the Amotekun Corps and reinforce security at border posts shows their sincerity in this matter and our people should support them in the realization of this proposition”.
The ranking Federal lawmaker stated that time has come for the governors to invest hugely in commercial farming and uplift the region to food security status as done during the old western region.
“It is not impossible that the southwest can become the food basket of the nation. I want to advise that the governors to apply across board, the cluster farming module of commercial farming operation of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, where over 940 youth farmers have emerged and now making exploits in farming along Ipao-Oke Ako axis.
“Under the cluster farming module, the youths are made to farm at the same spot and adequate security measures are provided to checkmate bandits, herders and insurgents from prowling around the area. The cluster farming has been extended to three locations across the three senatorial districts of Ekiti now.
“Most interesting is the fact that the proceeds from these farms are bringing down prices of foods. I am impressed that over a billion Naira has been earmarked by Governor Oyebanji’s government to build dormitories in the farm settlements, so that youth farmers can have access to quality lives right inside the farmsteads.
“Adoption of this module will automatically raise the level of food production in the southwest”.
